Table of Contents
Last modified on August 3rd, 2023
The surface area, or total surface area (TSA), of a hexagonal pyramid, is the entire space occupied by its seven faces. It is measured in square units such as m2, cm2, mm2, and in2.
The formula is given below:
The formula to calculate the surface area of a hexagonal pyramid also includes its lateral surface area (LSA).
Lateral Surface Area (LSA) = 3bs, here b = base, s = slant height
∴ Total Surface Area (TSA) = 3ab + LSA
Let us solve some examples to understand the concept better.
Find the lateral and total surface areas of a hexagonal pyramid with a base of 5 cm, an apothem of 4.33 cm, and a slant height of 9 cm.
As we know,
Lateral Surface Area (LSA) = 3bs, here b = 5 cm, s = 9 cm
∴ LSA = 3 × 5 × 9
= 135 cm2
Total Surface Area (TSA) = 3ab + LSA, here a = 4.33 cm, b = 5 cm, LSA = 135 cm2
∴TSA = 3 × 4.33 × 5 + 135
= 199.95 cm2
Finding the surface area of a hexagonal pyramid when the BASE and HEIGHT are known
Find the surface area of a hexagonal pyramid with a base of 4 cm, and a height of 6 cm.
We will use an alternative formula for finding the surface area of a hexagonal pyramid.
Total Surface Area (TSA) = ${\dfrac{3\sqrt{3}}{2}b^{2}+3b\sqrt{h^{2}+\dfrac{3b^{2}}{4}}}$, here b = 4 cm, h = 6 cm
∴ TSA = ${\dfrac{3\sqrt{3}}{2}\times 4^{2}+3\times 4\times \sqrt{6^{2}+\dfrac{3\times 4^{2}}{4}}}$
= 124.71 cm2
Last modified on August 3rd, 2023
When exactly does the alternative formula work?
It works as the basic formula cannot be applied here.
We use the alternative formula to calculate the surface area of a hexagonal pyramid when the base and height are known.